We had a wonderful season. Not only did we make the shoot more accessible by the known world, many more participated in the shoot! We had 28 participants in 2019! Compare that for example to 2017 and 2018 where we had 5!
Success is measured in the result of many people’s efforts. I think this is due to the great people, their curiosity and dedication. The marshals who were willing to set up and run this shoot. Lochac had previously felt unable to participate, the rules have been re-written and better clarified to ensure access to all Groups and Kingdoms. I’m proud that the shoot is easier to set up, score AND goes much more quickly to get more involved!
Whats next?
We will continue to make this fun and approachable for all who wish to participate! A new IKCAC season is upon us, so prepare the targets and bows, and get shooting! Let’s get even more people this year!
Now for the part you have all waited for, the results of the 2019 IKCAC challenge!
With a recent refresh of the rules for a new 2019 (and future) seasons, an interesting idea was put forward by a friend in An Tir…
During the distance, and close range, there is no issue, you can set up multiple targets (30 and 10 yds) and simply switch targets. The interesting part comes in regard to the ‘advancing round’.
What if there are three targets set up on the range (30, 20, and 10 yds), and in lieu of advancing forward physically, there is a point or post 5 yards behind the (green) shooting line.
How the range might be set up using the post method
After shooting the two rounds at the thirty, you move to the ‘Advancing Round’. Once you get your two shots off at 30, you may advance and shoot at the 20, and repeat. What if instead of advancing, you physically walked/ran to a post behind the line, returned to the line, then shot normally?
How the participant would travel around the post
Its an interesting concept, and one that I think would work… However there are some potential issues..
Loaded behind the line:
One should not have a spanned crossbow/bow or arrows/bolts loaded on their bows behind the line for any reason. This is especially true in a mixed line. One can argue that a shoot, solely dedicated to IKCAC, in a safe space, where all participants are aware, this can be done safely, that is not the scope of this post.
I prefer to load as I walk. The same way I perform in combat: always moving, always loading, always hunting. Using this method, one should not be loading while traveling to and from the post, to the line. It creates a safety hazard. What if the prod should break while in action and the bow is pointed ‘down line’ towards other participants? If using the post method, shoot, move to post and back, get back on the line, load and shoot.
Comfort of archers
It is the case that most archery lines are not comfortable, nor familiar with the type of explosive movement that can occur in combat archery. People leisurely shooting their Royal Rounds 10 feet away, may be greatly distracted by someone suddenly running off the line and back.
If one were to attempt this method, make sure all participants are not only aware this is happening, but are ok with it. All the line marshals as well as the MiC should be aware and be assuaged of any safety concerns.
Additionally, make sure the participants of the IKCAC are comfortable with the set up! Some may refer the physical advancement. If it can be run either or both ways, do what is best for the populace and participants!
Elbow room
Space can always be tight, but if there is room to run the IKCAC on its own, that may be a better fit. Though in some cases, a mixed line may be preferable. A mixed line also affords greater visibility to the IKCAC to participants who may not otherwise know it exists. If there is loaner gear, it also makes it easier for someone to walk up and try it out the same we afford in target archery! That said, make sure there is plenty of space for all activities. We want to ensure we are working together!
Conclusion
We all need to make sure the thing we love, is what we do. Talk to your Autocrats, and your Marshals in Charge. It is our job to not only make sure our thing is happening, but that it is advertised, has space, and is done safely!
Friends, with a new year brings great promise: to fling more arrows and bolts into a shiny new IKCAC target!
February 1st is the beginning of the new season, so get your targets made and dust those arrows and bolts off! Get them in before December 1st though!
The rules, and target have been reimagined to make the shoot easier, and target easier to construct and set up!
Its as close as you can get to the battlefield without a fighter card!
So what has changed?!
We have added a youth division so our younger friends can compete across the Kingdoms!
We are splitting the adults into two divisions: hand-bow and crossbow.
The target is basically two rectangles. This will make it easier to build! The construction method and materials doesn’t matter, as long as the size is correct and the scores can be easily recorded. But have no fear, if you have the ‘old’ target, you can continue to use it through the 2019 season! We appreciate people may have made on or still have one (as I do!).
The scoring system has been simplified. Now just keep your tally and the math is super easy: 2 or 4 points per.
The IKCAC now lives on it own section on the scores site!
So what does this all mean? The shoot is far more approachable now! We hope to bring you a shoot that is fun, opens doors, and fosters inclusion.
Talk to your local marshals, ask them to include the IKCAC at events and practices! It is a lot easier, and fun to do!
Get out there and get shooting!
Your Faithful Servant and Score-keeper – Cameron de Grey
